Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Amendment of an Incidental Take Permit and the 1997 Habitat Conservation Plan for Kern County Waste Facilities, Kern County, CA

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Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) advises the public that we intend to gather information necessary to prepare, in coordination with the Kern County Waste Management Department (KCWMD), a joint Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) on the Amendment to the Kern County Waste Facilities Habitat Conservation Plan and permit number 830963 (Amendment 1). Amendment 1 is being prepared under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, (ESA). Amendment 1 addresses potential take of threatened and endangered species at Kern County waste facilities due to the proposed expansion of the permit area, new covered activities, and an increase in the number of species covered by Permit 830963. The term of Permit 830963 shall remain at 50 years, expiring in 2047. KCWMD intends to request an ESA permit amendment for 5 species federally listed as threatened or endangered and 14 unlisted species that may become listed during the term of the permit. The Service provides this notice to: (1) Describe the proposed action and possible alternatives; (2) advise other Federal and State